Are you ready to Cut the Cord?

With every technological advancement a period of transition from old to new always follows. Televisions are a perfect example of this with their almost complete ubiquity in our society. The innovation of and consumer availability of the TV triggered a transition away from the Radio as the primary entertainment medium in most homes, and further transitions followed soon after. June 25th marked Color TV day, which itself was a massive disruption to the install base of TV’s. In 1965 it was announced that going forward half of all prime-time TV would be broadcast in color, and not until 1980 did the majority of TV’s support Color.

More recent and disruptive transitions many of you may remember first hand include the HD movement, and beyond that the Digital transition in the US that forced people to either purchase a supported TV or get a digital converter to continue using their old sets. These transitions are still ongoing and overlapping, as evidenced by the massive amount of old tube TV’s still brought into Best Buy stores every day to be recycled.

However a new movement, which has actually been upon us for a number of years, is the practice of “Cord Cutting”. Cutting the Cord involves ending your Cable or Satellite TV subscription, and moving wholly over to internet based video streaming with services like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and others. For many cutting the cord is about escaping the high cost of Television Subscriptions that come with hundreds of channels you’ll likely never watch. For others it’s about watching what you want, when you want, often without commercials. No matter the reason, there are a few things you need to know before Cutting the Cord.

First you need to make sure your internet connection and home Wi-Fi network is up to the task. If it’s been a long time since you’ve upgraded your wireless router now might be a good time to do so. Next you’ll need at least one streaming device. If you already have a Blu-ray player or gaming console connected to a TV, or your TV is a Smart TV, you can likely already stream. In order to stream to your other screens you’ll need a dedicated streaming device like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV,Roku, or aGoogle Chromecast. For local channels and sports there are HDTV antennas, which let you watch HD video broadcast over the air for free.

These are all fantastic options. Another option to work with is if you have an existing desktop you rarely use, a custom gaming/work computer, or a media specific desktop that you can connect to your TV. I currently run an IBUYPOWER gaming PC to my TV and stream anything I want. All of the options above are one way where people who have desktops or are building them can contribute to cutting the cord. I hope this helps!

Was I ready to Cut the Cord? At first no, but as I seen that streaming gave me the benefit of watching my shows when and how I wanted. It was a game changer, I no longer had to rush home to see my favorite show. I could binge watch a season or catch up on the weekend. I could better utilize my time and still enjoy my favorite programs. Cutting the cord gives you the power to get exactly what you want without paying for all the extra's we don't use.

Give time more people will cut the cord like me. Personally, I think they should do the same for the Hollywood block buster movies. Many like the traditional way of going out to the movies, but image dinner at home with friends and family or that special someone. Where you can enjoy a new release on your flat panel with surround sounds. Personally, I'm one of many waiting for that opportunity...picture movie night in the summer on a Manhattan or Brooklyn deck. Good things to come with this streaming transition, let's leave the theatre for live concerts and performances or red carpet movie premieres. I'm sure if done right Hollywood could get better movie release numbers views and revenues.

I cut the cord in 2008 and have never looked back. Combine a good digital antenna with the right streaming services that have what you want to watch and you have more intertainment that you have time to watch. Traditional cable is suffering major loss of customers and will not exist as we know it in the not too distant future.